For those who'd rather ponder, investigate, research, make a point, construct an argument, and then get angry...

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

AJC editors = Hypocrisy...

Need proof of Atlanta Journal-Constitution slant, bias, and hypocrisy? Look no further. Last Thursday, award winning asswipe Mike Luckovich submitted, and the AJC ran his worthless cartoon which depicted the U.S. as torturers on par with Al-Qaida (I will not link to it). I know, I know, some narrow minded and misguided folks actually feel this way and it's their right to say and feel anyway they want. Understood. What made this particularly heinous was the fact that the AJC published this cartoon directly above the pictures of Pfc. Thomas Tucker and Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, the two soldiers recently abducted, tortured, and murdered in Iraq by terrorists.

'That's inspired editorial' you say? Well, where was all that inspired editorial when they were refusing to run a copy of the Mohammad cartoon that caused all those riots a few months back? "Respect and sensitivity" my big, fat, and flat pimpled covered ass! Fucking hypocracy pure and simple. No problem making concessions to avoid offending intolerant radical Muslims, but can't find that same restraint whatsoever while denigrating American military men who died walking the line in Iraq, not to mention their families who might have seen that.

You wonder why nobody trusts what you write? Take notice. Your readers and advertisers are. There will be more open letters from your advertisers to follow I’m sure. Thanks to RBM of Atlanta for honoring these two fallen soldiers and their families and saying what needed to be said (published as a full page ajacent to today's op/ed page):

To Our Clients:

We are sorry!

While we strongly affirm the right to free speech, the June 22, 2006 Mike Luckovich cartoon depicting the U.S. as torturers on par with Al Qaida was very offensive to us. Moreover, to publish this cartoon directly above the pictures of the two brave men who gave their lives, willingly and were tortured and mutilated in service to their country (and each of us) is unacceptable.

RBM Of Atlanta and it's employees represent a broad range of political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. We often see things differently - just like any family, group, or community. But one thing we all are is American. And we are proud of it. Together we stand - to do anything within our power to support our country. We count - with great pride - a large number of employees who are veterans, and some who currently serve in the military.

RBM of Atlanta has been a long-time advertiser in the Atlanta Journal - Constitution. We have signed an agreement, which we intend to honor, to advertise with them in the future. However, this event has changed the way we view our relationship. For now, we have chosen to spend our ad dollars to let you know that we do not agree with the editorial cartoonist of the Atlanta Journal - Constitution and that we are proud of our country along with the men and women who serve us all.

In closing, we wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families of Thomas Tucker and Kristian Menchaca. RBM of Atlanta and our country owe you a deep debt of gratitude for your sacrifice.RBM of Atlanta7640 Roswell RoadAtlanta, GA 30350770-390-0700www.rbmatlanta.com

UPDATE: My rant recalled for me a well written article by staunch liberal blogger Jason Chervokas at Trickster! back in February. It's a good read, and other than his most excellent taste in all things music, a rare instance where Jason and I agree on matters political.

Also, Micheal Yon is embroiled in a copyright infringement battle with the publishers of "Shock" magazine over their unauthorized use of one of his famed battlefield photos, the photo of the soldier cradling a dead Iraq child following an IED attack. Apparently the magazine, in addition to using it without permission, uses it to show the American military in a negative light (the publisher HFM is a French company). In Yon's latest post on the matter I found this reminder of the American MSM exercising their right to SELECTIVELY not offend.

We deserve better from our FREE press, plain and simple. They should be objective, and/or transparent with their bias.

I'd seen the cartoon, if you want to call it that, and was miffed (Sp?), but to hear of the placement of it is just tacky and outrageous. It's impressive to hear of this company stating their opinion... I'll be interested in hearing of any repercussions. Be sure to keep us posted.